1 Corinthians 14:23-25 –If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
When our five children were little, for some years we lived in a house next to a lake where sailboats would dart across the surface of the water by harnessing and channeling the power of the unseen wind. For fun, I often took our kids for walks to see the sailboats.
Jesus told Nicodemus that the Holy Spirit is a powerful, unseen force like the wind. Much like a sailboat, unless we direct it with the rudder of our mind and will, we can have great energy but not ministry.
Some churches have a rudder but not a sail. They have lots of systems, policies, theology, procedures, and order but never harness the wind of the Spirit to leave the dock of church and venture out to reach the world for Christ. If you’ve ever been in an old, established, religious church with older saints who have retired from life and God, then you know what this looks like.
Some churches have a sail but not a rudder. They are zealous, filled with passion, and have a sense of urgency and hope that is contagious but end up saying and doing crazy things. If you’ve ever been with a lot of brand-new, young Christians snatched by God from the flames of hell who are on fire for God but have no idea what they are talking about, then you know what this looks like as well. What Paul is arguing for is the rudder of the Scriptures and the sail of the Spirit so that passion is directed, zeal is focused, and enthusiasm results in ministry instead of a mess.
Do you have more of a rudder or a sail? Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you grow in the other area.
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